Archive for May, 2012

Against your better judgment and everything you have read on this blog…you did it! You wore your 4 inch heels during an all day shopping spree. Everything was going fine until you stepped wrongly and twisted your foot. Thankfully you did not sprain your ankle, but a few days later you notice a large bump on the top of your foot. The bump feels like there is jelly inside of it and it kind of hurts when you press on it. Worse of all this bump is making it harder to wear any of your shoes, including your high heels! What is this thing?

If the above scenario sounds like something that has happened to you, it is possible that you may have a ganglion cyst. A ganglion cyst is a bump filled with fluid that forms underneath the skin. They tend to grow on ligaments or between bones. These cysts are very common. They usually develop on the wrist, but they can also arise on the top or bottom of the foot. Ganglion cysts are not harmful or cancerous, but they can be annoying. The fluid inside the ganglion cysts can thicken over time, making the cyst larger and making it difficult to fit into your shoes.

No one knows what really causes a ganglion cyst, but they are linked to injury or too much stress on the foot. This is why it is important to wear the proper footwear especially if you are going to be on your feet for long periods of time. Some ganglion cysts do not cause pain. However, some people may feel a dull pain. It is also possible to feel tingling or burning if the cyst is touching a nerve. A ganglion cyst can disappear by itself, but it is very common for it to return.

In the past ganglion cysts were known as bible cysts because people would smash them with bibles to get rid of them! Please do NOT do this! You can seriously hurt your foot. Instead, schedule an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center for a proper diagnosis. Bumps and bruises related to a foot injury should always be inspected by a podiatrist to avoid any serious issues. With our locations at Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey, we are not too far away from you. Once you have been diagnosed, treatment depends on how big the cyst is and how much the cyst affects your daily activities. Your podiatrist may first monitor the cyst to see if it will go away by itself or use shoe pads to reduce pressure on the cyst. Another, and usually successful, option is to remove the fluid from the cyst (aspiration) and inject the cyst with a steroid medication. If the cyst is very painful, surgery may be the best option.

Ganglion cysts are common, but you may be able to prevent them. The best way to do that is follow the advice on this blog and ask your podiatrist about proper foot wear. You may even need to invest in orthotics to reduce stress on your feet. High heels can lead to all types of injuries. If you are “addicted” to heels, try wearing them only 2 days of the week instead of 5. It is worth it because, even though they are harmless, no one wants to deal with an annoying bump on the top of their foot.

If you have been paying attention to the news lately, you have probably heard the name Aimee Copeland. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, have you heard about flesh eating bacteria in the news recently? Tragically, twenty-four year old Aimee Copeland has been fighting flesh eating bacteria for several weeks. In the beginning of May, the University of West Georgia graduate student fell from a homemade zip line. She ended up with a gash in her left calf. The gash was treated and closed with 22 staples, but within days Aimee developed a serious infection. The infection was so serious that doctors had to amputate both of Aimee’s hands, a leg, and remove tissue from her torso. Aimee was also put on a ventilator and she experienced organ failure.

The media says that Aimee has flesh eating bacteria. The correct medical term for Aimee’s condition is necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, but very serious condition. It occurs when bacteria gets into the tissue that surround muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Once in the body, the bacteria produce toxins that shut down the immune system. With the body’s defense system out of service, the bacteria can destroy skin, fat, and muscle very quickly. It is like the bacteria are eating away at the body. This is why it is called “flesh eating bacteria”. The bacteria can also get into the blood and spread to the organs, causing failure. Many types of bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis. Two common bacteria that cause the disease are Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep) and Staphylococcus aureus. Aimee’s necrotizing fasciitis was caused by Aeromonas hydrophilia. This bacterium is found in almost all fresh water sources and is not usually dangerous to humans. However, Aeromonas hydrophilia is hard to treat with antibiotics and if it gets into the tissue, it can be very damaging.

Knowing that there is flesh eating bacteria out there is very scary. Necrotizing fasciitis can happen to anyone, even healthy people. Some people do have a higher risk such as diabetics, people with open sores, or people who have weakened immune systems due to age, cancer, or chemotherapy. The number one thing you can do to protect yourself from necrotizing fasciitis is to seek quick medical attention. Do not hesitate to make an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center or any medical facility for proper treatment of cuts, wounds, sores, gashes, and/or burns on your feet. We have locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey, so do not delay your visit! The next thing you should do is pay attention to your feet. If the pain is getting worse, contact your podiatrist or go to the ER. Necrotizing fasciitis develops very quickly. If the disease spreads too fast, doctors will have to amputate parts of the body to stop the infection from reaching vital organs. The sooner doctors are able to diagnose you and start treatment, the better your chances of keeping all of your toes.

Aimee Copeland’s story is horrible, but there is good news. Aimee appears to be making progress. As we all hope for Aimee’s recovery, let’s also learn from her story. With the summer ahead, our bare feet will be exposed to all kinds of things, including bacteria. Remember to be safe, practice proper foot care, and see your podiatrist immediately if any injuries should occur. Acting quickly can save a limb and your life.

(Associated Press; 5/14/12) Dr. Hal Ornstein of Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP in Howell is not only a parent of 2 lacrosse players with the Howell High School Rebels; he is also a photographer, and a teacher. Throughout the season as he photographed the student athletes of Howell Pride Lacrosse, he realized there is an entire generation of young people who can be taught how to help others in need. It has been said that great teachers inspire others and that is exactly what Dr. Hal Ornstein set out to do.

The Howell Food Pantry, an organization focused on providing food and other resources to help the less fortunate, was running very low on food/resources and was in dire need of replenishing its stock. Knowing this, Dr. Ornstein set out not only to increase donations to the Howell Food Pantry, but to teach a group of student athletes how to get involved in their community and to learn about his overall mission to “de-feet” both childhood hunger, and hunger overall.

In April 2012, the Howell Pride Lacrosse program, comprised of boys and girls in grades 1 thru 8, received a letter from Dr. Ornstein offering them TEAM pictures in exchange for donations of food for the less fortunate to be dropped off at his podiatry office in Howell on Monday, May 7th. He, and his wife Anna, also offered to match each student athletes’ donation with their own donation of a $5.00 food purchase that would also go to the Howell Food Pantry.

On May 7th, the unexpected happened when 40 to 50 student athletes showed up at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP and dropped off their food donations in response to Dr. Ornstein’s letter. He was so proud of these student athletes; he responded by saying, “It brings so much joy to my heart to see the response by the Howell Pride Lacrosse program, their coaches, and families. The power of volunteerism is immense when communities come together for the better good of humanity. Hunger in the world today is a terrible tragedy and by working together we can “de-feet” childhood hunger, and ultimately strive to ‘de-feet’ hunger for all.”

This joint initiative between the Howell Pride Lacrosse program and the TEAM at the Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP has just begun to work together to support the Howell Food Pantry. The overarching philosophy of Howell Pride Lacrosse is, in addition to teaching lacrosse fundamentals, to help children develop pride in themselves, their TEAM and their town. “This initiative is a very creative way for our players to demonstrate their pride in their community by helping the Howell Food Pantry”, states coach Bob Brown. He went on to say that he anticipates an additional 180 boys and girls will be providing food donations to the Howell Food Pantry over the next several weeks.

The feedback from the parents of the Howell Pride Lacrosse program has been overwhelming. Debbie Maher wrote, “The positivity that is promoted in your organization {Howell Pride} is the best I have seen in the 6 organizations we have been involved in. Your organization “teaches” the players, keeps all comments positive and goes out of your way to make “every” player feel good about the sport regardless of their ability.”

The Howell Pride Lacrosse program can now say that they have united as one, along with the TEAM at the Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP, and helped those who are less fortunate in their community. And, along the way, they are learning what Dr. Ornstein means when he says he wants to “de-feet” childhood hunger, and eventually hunger overall.

Earlier this year celebrity chef Paula Deen caused controversy when she revealed that she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago. People have always criticized Paula about promoting unhealthy foods but that criticism grew louder and angrier when Paula said that she was a diabetic. It’s tempting to indulge every once in a while, but it is best for diabetics to stay away from Paula’s high sugar, high fat, and high salt recipes. Paula is famous, but her diagnosis means that she will face the same issues of many American diabetics. Paula has a chronic disease that can cause serious problems and even premature death.

Type 2 diabetes is always in the news, but there is still much that doctors and scientists do not know about the disease. There are several risk factors including obesity, race, age, family history, and high blood pressure. Thankfully, type 2 diabetes does not have to be an early death sentence. With proper medications and lifestyle changes diabetics can live an active, enjoyable life. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes you will need to see your primary care physician regularly, but do not forget about scheduling regular foot exams at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP, or with your podiatrist. With locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey, we are not too far away from you.

Many people do not know, but the feet can sometimes show the first signs of a diabetic issue. Peripheral neuropathy is very common in type 2 diabetics. Peripheral neuropathy is when diabetes affects the nerves and a person loses feeling in their feet. For instance, if a healthy person were to step on glass, they would feel the pain and immediately pick up their foot. A diabetic with peripheral neuropathy doesn’t feel the pain and keeps walking around as if nothing happened. The only way a diabetic would know they are injured is if they see the wound or someone tells them they have a wound. Some early signs of peripheral neuropathy are tingling, burning, itching, and sometimes pain in the feet or legs. Peripheral neuropathy can also affect the hands.

We need good feeling in our feet. Imagine what would happen if you cut your foot and didn’t know it for days or weeks! Unfortunately, this happens to diabetics all the time and this is how a diabetic wound begins to develop. A diabetic wound is an open sore usually under the ball of the foot. They can be difficult to treat especially if they are infected. If an infection gets really bad, amputation of a toe or part of the foot may be a possibility. In fact, diabetics are 30-40 times more like to undergo a major amputation.

The most important thing a podiatrist can do is catch a peripheral neuropathy problem before it becomes bigger. Your podiatrist can debride (shave down) calluses on the bottom of your feet. Calluses are common sites for diabetic wounds. Constant rubbing (friction) from the inside of a shoe or rough surfaces can break the skin and lead to wounds. Your podiatrist can prescribe custom orthotics and make pads that can be used to reduce friction on the feet. If a foot exam reveals that you have peripheral neuropathy and you have not been diagnosed with diabetes, then your podiatrist will refer you to the right physician so that you can be tested for diabetes and begin treatment, if needed.

Peripheral neuropathy may not be avoidable for a diabetic, but remember that you have some control over your health. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes then you may have even more control of how the disease affects your life. Stay away from Paula’s bread pudding, follow your treatment plans, and make an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP. You owe it to yourself and the people who love you.

(Associated Press; 5/4/12) It’s time to grab your running/walking shoes and come out for a day of fun at the 2012 “Race to Educate 5K Race/Walk” to be held on Saturday, June 2, 2012. In addition, a 1 mile “Fun Run” will be taking place the same morning prior to the launch of the 5K Race/Walk. Registration will open at 7:30am with the 1 mile “Fun Run” starting at 8:30am and the 5K Race/Walk launching at 9:00am. Both events will begin and end at Howell Middle School South located at 220 Ramtown-Greenville Road in Howell. “Each year, we’re seeing more and more participants in the event and our hopes are high for a large turnout this year. Race day is fun all around, but what makes it even better is knowing all of the funds collected from the event directly support the children within the Howell school system,” says Mr. Larry Gurman, Chairperson of the Howell Township Education Foundation.

The event will include a 5K race/walk that promises a great course for the runners/walkers to enjoy with safety measures for the event to be taken by the Howell Township Police Department. Prior to the launch of the 5K race/walk, there will be a 1 mile “Fun Run” for people of all ages. In addition to the running/walking events, there will be an area of fun including vendors, a DJ, food and drinks, and more.

In addition to the race itself, the Howell Township Education Foundation (HTEF) has added a challenge to this year’s “Race to Educate 5K Race/Walk”. The organizers are offering a discretionary grant worth $1,000 to the Howell Township School that provides the highest percentage of race participants, based on school enrollment. All runners and walkers who register will be asked to indicate if they are affiliated with one of the 12 schools in the district. Staff members, students, and/or family members of children in a particular school are recognized as having an affiliation with that school and should note it on their registration form. At the conclusion of the registration process, the school represented with the highest number of registrants for the race will be awarded the $1,000 grant.

Pre-Registration for this event is $20.00 if postmarked before May 21 and after this date, including race day registration, will be $25.00. The first 600 people registered will receive a free T-Shirt, but if registered on race day, T-shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed. There are two ways to register for this event; you can visit www.TheRaceToEducate.com and register under the “registration tab” or mail a check, and make payable to, “Howell Township Education Foundation, PO Box 579, Howell, NJ 07731”. For more information, please email RaceToEducate@yahoo.com or call (732) 905-1110. In addition, “The Race To Educate 5K Race/Walk” can also be found on Facebook (The Race to Educate – Howell Township Education Foundation) and Twitter (Race2Educate), which will offer information up to the day of the race and much more.